Schaeffler, the motion technology company, has been awarded the prestigious Hermes Award for its highly integrated actuator platform designed for humanoid robots. The award was presented during the opening ceremony of Hannover Messe on April 19 by Dorothee Bar, Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space, in the presence of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The independent jury, chaired by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, selected Schaeffler from three nominated companies, recognizing the platform's high level of innovation and significant benefits for industry.
The actuator platform is specifically developed for the joints of humanoid robots, addressing a critical cost factor: actuators account for approximately 50 percent of the total costs of humanoids. By providing scalable, highly efficient actuators, Schaeffler aims to make humanoid robots competitive for large-scale industrial use. The company plans to begin series production of components as early as this year, leveraging its decades of experience as an automotive and industrial supplier.
Georg F. W. Schaeffler, family shareholder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board, stated, 'With our highly integrated actuator platform, we are setting new benchmarks in this growth area by combining our decades-long technology expertise with our excellent track record in industrialization.' Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG, added, 'There’s barely any other technology at Schaeffler that illustrates more effectively the immense potential behind this concept than actuator technology, which enables energy to be converted into mechanical motion.'
The platform includes rotary actuators that deliver precise rotational movements in key joints like shoulders, elbows, and knees, enabling natural movement sequences. It is based on highly efficient electric motors with integrated power electronics and high-precision encoders, configurable with two-stage planetary or strain wave gears. An innovative architecture where the bearing is integrated into the rotor reduces the installation footprint by around 20 percent and weight by up to 500 grams, resulting in a design up to 10 mm more compact than other solutions.
Schaeffler's actuator platform will be on display at Hannover Messe from April 20 to 24 at Booth E60 in Hall 13. More information about Schaeffler's participation can be found at Schaeffler at the Hannover Messe 2026. The award underscores Schaeffler's role as a key component supplier in humanoid robotics, combining its 12 core manufacturing technologies, including automated winding and chipless metal forming for thin roller bearing rings.
The Hermes Award recognition highlights the integration of mechanical engineering and artificial intelligence, a focus for this year's prize. As humanoid robotics advances, Schaeffler's scalable and cost-effective actuator solutions are positioned to accelerate the adoption of humanoids in industrial settings, potentially transforming automation and manufacturing processes.
